My miniature Tudor Style house was featured in Polymer Cafe magazine!

I just received my latest Polymer Cafe  magazine and was thrilled to see my miniature Tudor Style house sculpture featured.  I actually sold this particular house, but have a similar one for sale at CreativeCritters.artfire.com.  I've been making minaiture houses in polmer clay for quite a few years now.  I've sold some, and given quite a few as gifts.  Each one is OOAK and sculpted by hand.  Depending on the size of the house and the amount of detail these houses take a week to three weeks to complete.  Ecery leaf, flower, stone, and shngle is individually sculpted by hand.  I can tell you, each piece has THOUSANDS of leaves (I tend to count in my head as I'm placing them).I love creating the landscaping as much as the house itself.  I really enjoy plants and flowers, and this allows me to create any landscape I can imagine.  This is the house that was featured in Polymer Cafe magazine.

And here are the houses available in my shop right now.  I have a few new designs in mind, so check back often to see what I add!

 

Thanks for looking!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

DoMosaics on ArtFire sells beautiful glass mosaic pieces

DoMosaics, of Fortwright Kentucky, opened on ArtFire 12-30-08.  Her Studio Announcement reads: "Welcome to Do Mosaics LLC. Offering high-quality Italian vitreous glass mosaics. Makes a perfect gift for that "hard to find for " person. Browse awhile if you don't see the colors that suit you convo me and I will be happy to custom make your creation just for you. Each mosaic creation is a one of a kind !
Look around there are some great gift ideas inside !"  One look into this studio and you'll see that DoMosaics offers beautiful, high quality handcrafted pieces.

Artisan Biography for DoMosaics:

"I am a Kentucky-based artisan. I make high-quality Italian glass mosaic artwork, frames, mirrors, and home decor pieces. I am a self taught mosaic artist and love every minute of it. I am always working on new creations and my fingers are cutting tiles as fast as they can ! I love to hear what people are buying these mosaics for. Is it a gift,graduation, wedding, or a shower or are they just splurging on themselves? That way it helps me create towards that direction. I love custom work ! I like to make that "certain" mosaic for someone. So if you don't see something in a certain color... no problem. Feel free to contact me and we can discuss colors. I have customers who find the colors from a bridal registry and we build from there on any given piece. So let your imagination go !

My work has recently been featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper and the Kentucky Monthly magazine."

DoMosaics can also be found on Flickr and Twitter.  Below is a sample of some of the wonderful work you can find in her shop.  Stop in to see all she has to offer!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

New from CreativeCritters- plush WoW Murloc!

So I've finally started to expand my line of plush World of Warcraft characters.  So far I've only made Taurens, but I decided to add Murlocs to my repetoire.  I create the patterns for all these characters myself, so it does take some time to settle on a final design.  I put a lot of time and effort into these creations, trying to get them as close to the actual characters as possible.  Since I don't play the game myself (no WAY I'd have time for that!), I spend many hours online researching the characters, colors, styles, weapons, etc.  I also spend a good bit of time picking my mother and brother's brains.  Mother introduced the idea of making plush WoW characters to me a while back.  She and my youngest brother both play regularly.  So this is my newest creation, with more to come.  You can stop by CreativeCritters on ArtFire to see all I have to offer, or click on the pictures to go directly to the listing.

This plush World of Warcraft Murloc was handsewn using my own pattern and measures about 13" tall, standing, and 8" tall seated. He's made from blue and green felt and gray sweatshirt material. His spines, teeth, and tongue were made from stiff felt. I used fabric paint to paint the markings on his body. All four limbs have plastic safety joints, making the Murloc fully poseable. His eyes are also safety eyes and his hands and fingers have pipe cleaners inside to make them poseable as well. He's stuffed with polyester fiberfill. If you enjoy the World of Warcraft, you have to get this unique handcrafted Murloc!

Thanks for looking!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Halloween Challenge

The Polymer Clay Smooshers guild is having their Halloween Challenge.  I entered my Cat in Jack O Lantern sculpture, and he sure could use some votes! Just click the link to go directly to the Challenge and vote  http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/. Just perfect for Halloween, this adorable piece was sculpted by hand in polymer clay and measures 2" tall. The cute little black cat pops out of the Jack O Lantern, wearing the lid as a hat! The cat's fur was textured and his bright yellow eyes were painted with acrylic paint and sealed with gloss glaze. I've signed and dated the bottom of this fun Halloween sculpture.  He's available for sale at CreativeCritters.artfire.com as well.

Thanks for looking and voting!  Voting end Saturday 8-29-09 at midnight- hurry!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Unique, elegant jewelry can be found at JewelrybySandy

Sandy, of Warne, NC, opened JewelrybySandy on ArtFire 2-15-09.  Her Studio Categories include Bracelets, brooches, Children, Earrings, Jewelry Sets, Men, Necklaces, Rings, Pendants, and Artfire Stimulus under 15.00.

One look in this shop and you'll be saying "Wow!"  Sandy is a very talented artist.  Her pieces are unique, beautiful, and eye catching.  Her Studio Announcement states: "All of my jewelry is hand-crafted by me, using quality materials.
Most of my pieces will be one-of-a-kind, wearable art items.
You will find everything from simple elegance, to Red Carpet designs.
I can on occasion make similar items if you need a different size or color.
I do make custom items. My stones or yours!
Please check back often, I will be constantly adding new items hot off my pliers!
I am e-mail friendly!"

Artisan Biography for jewelrybysandy:

"I have been making wire jewelry for over 18 years.

I love working with all types of stones, art glass, and metals.
Most of my pieces will be made with Sterling Silver, although 14K gold-filled is an option, as well as copper and brass.
I am constantly striving to learn new techniques, this keeps my jewelry fresh and innovative.
I love to enter competitions, and have currently placed "Best of Show" twice, and 2nd place once!
I have had many mentors, and received lots of support along my journey. In the coming fututre, I will be writing tutorials as a way of "paying it forward"."

Her customers have said "It's a beautiful bracelet - thank you such much. I will wear it with pride.", ...enjoying the beautiful pendant. It is beautiul and I am glad I ordred it", and "Good communication and good artist...".

JewelrybySandy can also be found at jewelrybysandy.blogspot.com and on Flickr.  Below is a small sample of some of the AMAZING pieces that can be found in her shop.  Stop in to see all she has to offer.

Aren't these pieces just awesome?!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

SpunSisterDesigns offers original handcrafted jewelry

Kathryn, of Ottowa Ontario opened SpunSisterDesigns on Artfire.com 2-10-09.  Her handcrafted jewelry is beautiful and unique.  Her shop categories include Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Radiance Collection/Wedding, Little Indulgences ~ Artfire Stimulus Package, andCustom Orders / Reservations.

Her Studio Announcement reads: "END OF SUMMER SALE!! ALL ITEMS MARKED DOWN 20%!!

Plus, we still offer FREE SHIPPING!!

Take a moment and visit my blog: http://spunsister.blogspot.com/

Original designs for original people!

Come celebrate originality with unique, handcrafted jewelry by SpunSister Designs!

Every item is designed and individually crafted with top quality materials that I have handpicked to bring out the best in the jewelry.

This makes every piece truly unique.

The semi-precious stones I incorporate into my designs come only from reputable dealers and have been polished to show-off their natural beauty. The stunning lampwork beads are the creations of experienced and talented self-representing glass artists. Each bead has an individual personality. I use sterling silver and 14k gold-filled wire and findings and select my accent beads from around the world.

I hope you enjoy browsing through my studio, and remember we offer FREE GROUNDMAIL SHIPPING throughout North America!

We also offer a 10% discount to all Artfire Vendors!"

Below is a sample of some of the lovely jewelry available at SpunSisterDesigns.  Stop by her shop to see all she has to offer!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

 

 

 

 

 

Fun with Eraser Clay

I've seen Sculpey Eraser Clay in the craft store with the rest of the polymer clay for some time now.  I've always wanted to get some and play around with it a bit, and with kids going back to school, I figured this was the perfect time to start making some erasers and selling them at CreativeCritters.artfire.com.  I've been sculpting in polymer clay for many years, so this is just a slightly different material to work with.  It only comes in blue, green, orange, pink, purple, yellow, brown, and white as far as I know.  You can mix the colors, though, so that expands the color pallette a bit.  It's a bit softer than regular Sculpey polymer clay, so it can be a little difficult to do very detailed work.  It does work quite well with molds, though (I spritz mine with water first for easy removal of the clay).  I started with what I call MonsterHead erasers, which fit on the top of the pencil.  These guys are great- comical, unique, and more than a little silly.  I've also made a few dragons, snakes, octopuses, cats, snails, butterflies, and flowers.  I do like variety, plus I'm trying to see if one type sells better than another.  Some of these are just erasers, and some are also pencil toppers.  I used to love the different shaped erasers in school.  There was nothing quite like what I've made though.  I think kids would enjoy these, as would fun loving adults.  I do believe I'll have to make a few just for myself!  These would be great for Halloween treats or stocking stuffers, as well as back to school.  I've been listing new ones every day, so be sure to stop in to CreativeCritters and see what's new.  Below are the erasers I have in my shop right now.  If anyone has any suggestions or requests for different types of erasers, please leave a comment.  Feedback is always very useful!  Thanks for looking!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters